GDMBR Logistics

[Tigerrocker]

I'm looking for some resources on logistics for the Canada section of the GDMBR as a US citizen. I'm looking at doing the Icefield Parkway to Banff then the ACA route from there forward. I have never traveled outside of the US and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Things I know:  Passport and getting a shuttle to Jasper (kind of).

Things I do not know:
Money. Do I need Canadian cash and how much should I get. Where do I get it?
Cell Phone. I'm assuming that my Verizon plan can have Canada added.
Health Insurance. How does US health insurance work in Canada?

[davidbonn]

...
Things I do not know:
Money. Do I need Canadian cash and how much should I get. Where do I get it?
Cell Phone. I'm assuming that my Verizon plan can have Canada added.
Health Insurance. How does US health insurance work in Canada?

ATMs and credit cards work fine in Canada.  And ATMs are pretty much everywhere you'd usually find them in the states.  Most grocery store items and restaurant food cost about the same there, with the usual mountain town premiums.  If you are planning on a hotel or motel stay you can research the prices before you go, but you'd really want to put that on a credit card anyhow.  Oh, and tell your bank you are traveling to Canada before you go.

Yeah, talk to your cell company.  Data charges in particular can be quite spendy in Canada.

My experience with US health insurance in Canada has been poor and insurance providers often drag their feet on paying.  It doesn't help that Canadian health care isn't set up to deal with US health insurance.  I'd recommend getting a good travel insurance policy (which should cost about $100-$150) for your peace of mind and to smooth things out.

[BikeliciousBabe]

I will offer only a dated experience. In 2009, we did the Glacier Waterton Loop.  My ATM car from a large bank in the U.S. would not work in certain ATM machines.  Tried a convenience store and it did not work.  An hour or so later, in Fernie, I went to a bank ATM and it worked.  It seemed that some ATM's were not connected to the most popular networks.  Hopefully, that is no longer an issue.

As recommended, definitely tel your bank(s) including credit card banks) of your travel plans.  Locations, dates, etc.  Include all possibilities.  For example, if I will be flying from the east to Montana for atour there in ID and will have a layover in MN, I will tell my banks that it's possible I might use my cards in the MN airport.  The "logic" banks can use to protect you (themselves, really) once resulted in a credit card being frozen because I bought gas a few hours' drive from my home even though I was in my home state.  I didn't find out until I tried to pay for dinner two nights later.

[ray b]

Things I do not know:
Money. Do I need Canadian cash and how much should I get. Where do I get it?
Cell Phone. I'm assuming that my Verizon plan can have Canada added.
Health Insurance. How does US health insurance work in Canada?

As always, anxieties melt away on the road.

Money: US dollars almost always welcome - especially if you're willing to pay at parity - i.e., USD=CAD.
Credit cards - MC/Visa/Amex - are pretty much accepted anywhere, and give you the best rate of conversion.
If you want some cash - always welcome in small towns and establishments, ATMs at banks will always work these days, and the local ATMs usually. Again - this will give you the best conversion rate.

Cell Phone: Right - Verizon has some inexpensive options. Just sign into your account or give them a call.

Health Insurance: Check with your carrier. Might need a rider or purchase a temporary plan for coverage of emergency care from any of a number of underwriters recommended by your insurance provider or found on the internet. 

 

[TerrellFerrell]

For money, it’s a good idea to carry some Canadian cash, especially for smaller places or if you’re out of range of ATMs. You can get Canadian dollars at your local bank or exchange them at airports. For daily expenses, credit cards are widely accepted, but having some cash on hand is always useful.

For your cell phone, you can usually add Canada to your Verizon plan temporarily. Just make sure to check with Verizon before your trip to confirm the details and avoid any unexpected charges.

As for health insurance, check with your US provider to see if they offer coverage in Canada or consider travel insurance that includes health coverage for peace of mind.

[davidbonn]

... it’s a good idea to carry some Canadian cash ...

Also, Canadian $5 bills are absolutely perfect tire boots, way better than a US $1 bill because the bill is more durable if it is wet or otherwise contaminated.  So I usually carry at least one with me even if I'm not in Canada.

Australian fivers and five Euro notes use similar paper and are also excellent.

[BikeliciousBabe]

At this point, visiting Jasper is not a good idea.

[macmoo]

Probably too late but we rode from Jasper two years ago and this year I rode from Canmore.

Flew into Edmonton and got the shuttle from there to Jasper. This was less expensive than flying into Calgary.

Rode the Icefields parkway over three days, staying at Canadian Hostels. Great shoulders to ride on and the accommodation was really good and inexpensive.

We carried cash and used ATM's without any issue while in Canada. We also had travel insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield, called GeoBlue. Since we were only there a little one a week it was inexpensive.

Logistically flying from the US and cycling in Canada is very straightforward. However, accommodation in resort towns such as Jasper and Banff can be expensive. On my last trip I avoided Banff entirely and stayed in Canmore where you get more value for your hard earned dollars.

I had a mobile phone. Text and phone calls worked well but I never got the data to work correctly. My wife had an AT and T iPhone and it worked perfectly but roaming cost was almost twice the cost of my Tmobile phone.

I'm hoping to go back next summer for another Canadian trip.

Hope this helps.

John